Microscope Follows Palin Back to Alaska

'Newsweek' goes deep with Sarah trivia

(NEWSER) - With Sarah Palin fever at its highest point since the 2008 election, Newsweek dares you to test how much you know about the nation's most polarizing politician:

• What question did Palin and strategists plan for her to ask Joe Biden before the start of their debate?
• Mat, Court, Zamboni, and Colt: Which name wasn't considered as a possibility for Palin's elder son, Track?
• True or false: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin, required alleged rape victims to pay $1,200 for their own rape kits.

Conservatives see move as highly erratic

(NEWSER) - If Sarah Palin truly does intend to run for president, her decision to resign as Alaska governor could give her more freedom to pursue the nomination, writes Jonathan Martin for Politico. But Palin’s move is risky: In her announcement, she said she didn’t want the continued ethics investigations to cost any more taxpayer money. But is resigning amid such questions the best move to take before running for president? More»

(NEWSER) - Levi Johnston continues his gripping expose of the Palin family in an interview with Vanity Fair. Some choice revelations from Bristol's ex, who lived with the family for two months following the election:

• "There wasn't much parenting in that house": The Palin parents were too busy to care for their children, so "the kids would do it all themselves: cook, clean, do the laundry," Johnston says. He chipped in, too: "I’d barbecue chicken or steak on the grill."

(NEWSER) - As she prepares to exit Alaska's governor's mansion Sunday, Sarah Palin's nationwide support is lower than it has been at any time since she became John McCain's running mate, according to the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll. Some 53% of Americans now view Palin negatively, the poll finds, while just 40% see her in a positive light. GOP voters are still fans, with 70% positive, although the number holding "strongly favorable" views of her is down sharply. More»

Report has lawyer costing $30K per hour

(NEWSER) - A spreadsheet from Sarah Palin's office detailing spending on ethics complaints and lawsuits is riddled with discrepancies, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The administrative director of Palin's office says accidental double-counting added $26,849 to the $1.9 million total. She plans to make inquiries about other parts of the spreadsheet, including a line in which 0.3 hours of an attorney's time seems to have cost more than $10,000. More»